Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Desmometopa varipalpis, male . It is possible to confirm?

Posted by Maherjos on 09-09-2023 11:21
#1

Photograph taken on 9 September, 2023 inside a house in the urban center of Motril, Granada, Spain

Apparent size with wings, about 2,5 mm
Click over the image increases in size

Appreciate your cooperation for identification.- :)

Edited by Maherjos on 09-09-2023 17:47

Posted by Maherjos on 09-09-2023 11:23
#2

.

Posted by Maherjos on 09-09-2023 11:24
#3

.

Posted by Roger Thomason on 09-09-2023 15:12
#4

Desmometopa varipalpis [male] I think...

Edited by Roger Thomason on 09-09-2023 15:12

Posted by Maherjos on 09-09-2023 17:43
#5

Roger Thomason wrote:
Desmometopa varipalpis [male] I think...


Very grateful for the proposed identification :)
With your guidance I edit the title, hoping that some other specialist also wants to give us their opinion.

José Marín

Posted by RE Niks on 15-10-2024 22:25
#6

Very good pictures! I wonder what arguments there are to decide this is D. varipalpis? I see very pale palpi (with dark dots) and also pale halter. Are they diagnostic for D varipalpis?

Posted by John Carr on 16-10-2024 00:39
#7

From Sabrosky's revision (1983), discussing Desmometopa varipalpis:

Males of this species are very distinctive because of the elongate fusiform palpi, unique in the genus and comparable only to singaporensis which also has a large palpus but a capitate one. However, females are much less distinctive ... Two characteristics distinguish varipalpis from singaporensis in both sexes, and these are useful for females: (1) in varipalpis the fronto-orbital plates are broad throughout, without an obvious break between the upper and lower orbital plates, whereas in singaporensis the fronto-orbital plates are narrower, especially the lower orbital plate, and there is a distinct break and narrowing from upper to lower sections; (2) the cheek is wider in varipalpis ...
The antennae are usually entirely black in singaporensis, but with reddish 1st and 2nd segments in varipalpis.
Males of varipalpis have the additional characteristic of elongate fusiform palpi, but in a few cases, almost always small individuals, the palpi are relatively short and small and in such cases they appear less acute apically.

Edited by John Carr on 16-10-2024 00:40